Run: 2026-02-19-01KHTRNQ5MSS9QFFZ7VC041HE0

Aurora's heart hammered in her chest as she stepped into the Fae Grove, the ancient standing stones casting long shadows in the moonlight. The familiar scent of wildflowers filled the air, but something felt off, a prickling at the back of her neck that had her gripping the Heartstone pendant at her throat. The usual birdsong was absent, replaced by an eerie silence that seemed to press in around her. Her boots crunched on the undergrowth, the only sound to break the stillness. As she ventured deeper into the grove, the trees seemed to loom closer, their twisted branches reaching out like grasping claws. A twig snapped behind her, and she whirled around, her hand flying to the knife at her belt. But there was nothing there, only the gentle sway of the leaves. Aurora took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. She was being ridiculous – this was the Fae Grove, a place she had visited countless times. There was no reason to be afraid. Still, the unease refused to abate. She continued on, her footsteps slow and cautious. The air grew colder, her breath misting before her. A shiver ran down her spine, and she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Ahead, the standing stones loomed, their ancient symbols etched into the weathered surface. Aurora paused, reaching into her pocket for the scrap of parchment she had been given. According to the instructions, she was supposed to recite a passage, to open a doorway to the Fae realm. She unfolded the paper, squinting in the dim light. But as she began to read the words, a sudden gust of wind whipped through the grove, snatching the parchment from her hands. Aurora lunged, but it was too late – the paper vanished into the darkness. "No!" she cried, her voice sounding small and hollow in the oppressive silence. She stared at the stones, her mind racing. What was she supposed to do now? She couldn't remember the exact wording of the incantation. A faint rustling in the undergrowth caught her attention, and she spun around, her hand tightening on the hilt of her knife. "Who's there?" she called, cursing the tremor in her voice. Silence. Nothing moved, save for the swaying branches overhead. Aurora's breath caught in her throat as a sense of dread crept up her spine. She was beginning to regret coming here alone. Suddenly, a low growl reached her ears, and she whirled around to see a pair of glowing eyes emerge from the shadows. Her heart leapt into her throat as a massive, shadowy figure stepped forward, its form indistinct and menacing. "W-what are you?" Aurora stammered, her fingers fumbling with the knife. The creature let out a bone-chilling howl, and she stumbled backwards, her foot catching on a root. She fell to the ground, the knife clattering from her grasp. The creature advanced, its growls echoing through the grove. Aurora's mind raced, desperately trying to remember the incantation. She had to get to the Fae realm, had to escape this thing before it – Her hand closed around the Heartstone pendant, and a faint warmth spread through her. Squeezing her eyes shut, she began to recite the words, the incantation flowing from her lips with a clarity she hadn't expected. As the last syllable left her mouth, a blinding light flared, and Aurora felt the ground tremble beneath her. The creature let out a deafening roar, its shadow suddenly obscured by a shimmering veil. Aurora opened her eyes, gasping at the sight before her. The standing stones had come alive, pulsing with a vibrant, otherworldly energy. A shimmering portal had opened between them, the air shimmering and distorting. Without hesitation, Aurora scrambled to her feet and dove through the portal, the creature's howls fading behind her as she was enveloped in a whirlwind of color and sound. She emerged in a clearing, the familiar sight of the Fae Grove greeting her. But something was different – the air was charged with a primal, unsettling energy, and the trees seemed to loom even taller, their branches reaching towards the inky sky. Cautiously, Aurora began to explore her surroundings, her heart still racing. The Heartstone pendant pulsed with a steady warmth, and she gripped it tightly, drawing comfort from its glow. As she ventured deeper into the grove, Aurora couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the snap of a twig. She strained her ears, listening for any sign of movement, but the forest remained eerily still. Suddenly, a faint whisper reached her ears, barely audible over the pounding of her heart. She froze, her gaze darting from one shadowy corner to the next. The whisper grew louder, a haunting melody that seemed to echo all around her. Aurora swallowed hard, her mouth dry. "H-hello?" she called out, her voice trembling. "Is anyone there?" The whisper fell silent, and for a moment, Aurora dared to hope that she had imagined it. But then, a figure emerged from the trees, its form pale and ethereal. Aurora's breath caught in her throat as she recognized the woman – Isolde, the Fae Queen herself. Her eyes were hollow, her expression one of profound sorrow. "Aurora Carter," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You should not have come."